Olu Jacobs Dies at 84: Nollywood Loses One of Its Most Enduring Acting Icons

Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

The actor’s death was announced by his family on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. His son, Olusoji Jacobs, shared the announcement on social media, while his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, also joined in communicating the family’s loss.

In announcing his passing, the family described Jacobs as “The Lion of Lufodo” and said they were grateful for a life that had been well lived.

The family also appealed to bloggers, social media influencers and members of the public to respect their privacy as they mourn the veteran actor.

According to the family announcement, Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and died on September 16, 2026, just over two months after celebrating his 84th birthday.

A career that crossed theatre, television and film

Olu Jacobs built a career that stretched across more than five decades and took him from the British theatre and television scene to the Nigerian film industry.

He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London before beginning a professional career that included stage performances and appearances in British television productions and international films. He later returned to Nigeria, where he became one of the most recognisable figures in the country’s developing film industry.

His distinctive voice, commanding presence and ability to portray a wide range of characters made him a familiar face to generations of Nigerian film and television audiences.

Over the years, Jacobs appeared in numerous Nigerian productions and became closely associated with the generation of actors who helped establish Nollywood as a major African film industry.

An award-winning actor

Jacobs’ contribution to the African film industry was recognised with several major honours.

In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Dancing Heart.

He later received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and, in 2016, was among the veteran actors honoured with an AMAA Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2011, the Federal Government of Nigeria also honoured him with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contribution to the country’s creative industry.

Building a legacy beyond acting

Jacobs’ influence extended beyond his performances.

Together with his wife, Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group, an organisation involved in theatre and screen production as well as the development of performing artists. Lufodo’s official records identify Jacobs as a co-founder and describe the organisation’s work across production and arts education.

The couple also established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA), which was created to provide professional training for people pursuing careers in theatre, television and film. The academy’s programme was designed to help develop a new generation of creative professionals in Nigeria.

Through these ventures, Jacobs and Silva contributed to the development of performing arts beyond their individual careers, particularly through training and mentorship.

His later years

In the later part of his life, Jacobs largely withdrew from public appearances.

In 2021, Joke Silva publicly discussed her husband’s health condition in an interview, explaining that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological condition. Her comments became one of the few detailed public accounts of Jacobs’ health during his later years.

His reduced public presence also led to several false reports about his death over the years. The family repeatedly dismissed such reports, including one in 2024 when his son, Olusoji, publicly confirmed that his father was still alive.

His actual death was formally announced by the family on September 16, 2026.

A defining figure of Nollywood

For many Nigerians, Olu Jacobs represented a generation of actors whose careers predated the digital era of Nollywood and continued through the industry’s transformation into a globally recognised film market.

His work connected Nigerian theatre with television and cinema, while his international experience gave him a career that extended beyond Nigeria.

His death brings to an end a remarkable chapter in Nigerian entertainment, but his body of work, awards, performances and contribution to arts education remain part of the country’s cultural record.

Olu Jacobs is survived by his wife, Joke Silva, their children and grandchildren.

The family has asked the public and the media to respect their privacy during the mourning period.